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Portugal to Allow Gay Marriage
UKPA ^ | 05/18/2010 | UKPA

Posted on 05/18/2010 2:58:32 PM PDT by Clemenza

Portugal's conservative president has said he is reluctantly ratifying a law allowing gay marriage, making the predominantly Roman Catholic country the sixth in Europe to let same-sex couples wed.

President Anibal Cavaco Silva said he would not veto the bill because majority liberal politicians would only overturn his decision.

(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: catholic; homosexualagenda; portugal
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Anibal Cavaco Silva is a member of the Social Democratic Party, which is (despite the name) the Conservative/Catholic Party.
1 posted on 05/18/2010 2:58:32 PM PDT by Clemenza
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To: Clemenza
Portugal's conservative president has said he is reluctantly ratifying a law allowing gay marriage, making the predominantly Roman Catholic country the sixth in Europe to let same-sex couples wed.

President Anibal Cavaco Silva said he would not veto the bill because majority liberal politicians would only overturn his decision.

The country must focus instead on battling a crippling economic crisis that has increased unemployment and deepened poverty, he said.

"Given that fact, I feel I should not contribute to a pointless extension of this debate, which would only serve to deepen the divisions between the Portuguese and divert the attention of politicians away from the grave problems affecting us," Mr Cavaco Silva said. He added he was setting aside his "personal convictions", though he did not elaborate and did not take reporters' questions.

The country's parliament passed the Socialist government-backed bill in January, with the support of all of Portugal's left-of-centre parties, who together have a majority. Right-of-centre parties opposed the measure and demanded a national referendum.

Elsewhere in Europe, gay marriage is permitted in Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Norway. As well, five US states and Washington, DC, legalised same-sex marriage, as have Canada and South Africa.

Mr Cavaco Silva's announcement came three days after Pope Benedict XVI left Portugal. During his four-day visit, which attracted hundreds of thousands of people, the pontiff said same-sex marriage and abortion were some of the most "insidious and dangerous" threats facing the world.

Socialist Party spokesman Vitalino Canas welcomed the president's decision, saying: "This is a memorable moment. This is a great step forward for us politically and as a society."

Antonio Serzedelo, the president of lobbying group Opus Gay, congratulated the head of state for placing "ethical responsibility above personal opinions".

Portugal is nearly 90% Catholic. However, only around two million of its 10.6 million people describe themselves as practising Catholics and Portugal has drifted away from the church's teachings.

2 posted on 05/18/2010 2:59:22 PM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
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To: Clemenza

Just like most euro parties, “conservative” means socialist lite.


3 posted on 05/18/2010 2:59:40 PM PDT by pissant (THE Conservative party: www.falconparty.com)
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To: Salvation; NYer; Coleus; A.A. Cunningham

PORTUGAL needs Fatima!


4 posted on 05/18/2010 3:00:01 PM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
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To: Clemenza

“Portugal to Allow Gay Marriage”

There ya go American gays. Become Portuguese.


5 posted on 05/18/2010 3:00:13 PM PDT by Grunthor (Over YOUR dead body!)
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To: Dr. Brian Kopp

Ping!


6 posted on 05/18/2010 3:02:07 PM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
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To: Clemenza
I'm sure G_d is amused at our innovations.
7 posted on 05/18/2010 3:02:50 PM PDT by throwback ( The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid)
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To: Clemenza

They are NOT “allowing” them, they are SANCTIONING them to marry. Allow means to “let it happen on it’s own”, but in this case, the government is putting its seal of approval on this corruption of morals.

Big difference!


8 posted on 05/18/2010 3:03:32 PM PDT by Mr. Jazzy ("I AM JIM THOMPSON and moderates make me PUKE!!!")
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To: Clemenza
"In Portugal the dogma of faith will always be preserved..."

???

9 posted on 05/18/2010 3:05:08 PM PDT by Brian Kopp DPM
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To: Clemenza

Glad to see Portugal’s government focusing on the important stuff and not wasting time handling their debt issues.


10 posted on 05/18/2010 3:06:10 PM PDT by spodefly (This is my tag line. There are many like it, but this one is mine.)
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To: Clemenza

When will these liberal/socialist/marxists figure out that a truly moral society can overcome these fiscal problems?
I will answer my own question. Never because the acquisition of power is all they really want.


11 posted on 05/18/2010 3:14:52 PM PDT by certrtwngnut (go to you tube @see screw the state of n.j.)
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To: Eaker

Hope you and Lance have first class tickets PING.


12 posted on 05/18/2010 3:16:58 PM PDT by humblegunner (Pablo is very wily)
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To: All

This must apply to the *Third Secret*


13 posted on 05/18/2010 3:24:24 PM PDT by TaraP (He never offered our victories without fighting but he said help would always come in time)
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To: TaraP
Pope Reopens File on Third Secret of Fatima
14 posted on 05/18/2010 3:33:49 PM PDT by Brian Kopp DPM
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To: humblegunner
Hope you and Lance have first class tickets PING.

I wouldn't miss see'in y'all git hitched!

15 posted on 05/18/2010 4:42:20 PM PDT by Eaker (Pablo is very wily)
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To: Clemenza

Good news for Cristiano Ronaldo. ;)

16 posted on 05/18/2010 4:44:22 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: Clemenza

He should veto it anyway, and let the progressives take full blame inthe future. But now they will say “but he signed it!”.


17 posted on 05/18/2010 5:21:57 PM PDT by Hostage
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To: dfwgator

LOL!


18 posted on 05/18/2010 6:26:30 PM PDT by Clemenza (Remember our Korean War Veterans)
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To: Clemenza

Actually he is dating Kim Kardashian, but I always look for a good excuse to post that pic.


19 posted on 05/18/2010 6:27:28 PM PDT by dfwgator
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To: Clemenza

The actual question to ask is: How do all socialistic countries of the world finally become capitalistic countries and actually end their “forever socialism” funk?


20 posted on 05/18/2010 9:31:10 PM PDT by johnthebaptistmoore (If leftist legislation that's already in place really can't be ended by non-leftists, then what?)
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